Tim Abbott

AoF mini tour [u]

AoF have a mini tour coming up, bringing their unique and hugely proficient take on funk to London and to carefully selected nearby towns. You will be well entertained...

Update - I gather there's a chance you will find AoF busking (with permission!) in these places on the afternoon of the gig. 

 

 

Friday 1st July - Hooga, Chelmsford

Saturday 2nd July - The Pickerel, Stowmarket

Sunday 3rd July - Bar 62, St Albans

Monday 4th July - Barrio Central, in Soho

Tuesday 5th July - The Herschel Arms, Slough

Wednesday 6th July - Global Café, Reading

Thursday 7th July - The Porter, Bath

Friday 8th July - The Emperor, Cambridge

AoF on Facebook

AoF web site

AoF at The Bull

After a break of 9 months AoF returned to Colchester on Thursday to play at The Bull, one of Colchester's best live music venues. Joining Aof in The Soundhouse, the intimate but lovely second venue, support came from local friends Nick Platt and "Live and Unsigned" finalist Anna Pancaldi.

Changes since last August mean that AoF is now in the novel position of having two lead vocalists, both called Livvy. Ben, the band's leader and songwriter has been busy writing so the evening was an opportunity to bring out the best of their older songs as well as introducing people to the newer material which will soon be released as an EP.

More AoF photos on Flickr

AoF web site

AoF on Facebook

CCM praise songs meme - further thoughts

I have been thinking further on this one, developing some thoughts which were simmering when I wrote my first post on this. I enjoy the process of developing my thinking, even if I need to revise my earlier views and as a consequence I have now re-edited the original post.

I very much appreciated several responses. I enjoyed Rach's post (with which I identify strongly!) and  appreciated Joe's post, some valuable reflection (rather than reaction) by Tim Chesterton and these well chosen words What will enable this congregation to worship? from Sam.

I still believe there is a vital conversation for the church to be having, probably continuously, as each new generation of song writers bring their perspective to the field of contemporary worship. I also believe that some of the naff or theologically duff material needs to be critiqued somehow so that our pursuit of excellence (though not perfectionism) in worship is undiminished. Unlke a duff sermon, which will hopefully be forgotten by next week's far better sermon, duff worship songs can become part of our hymnody (of whatever style) and begin to affect our theology. I have met people who believe slightly odd things because they sung them. We believe and remember what we sing far more than what we hear, which William Booth used to admirable effect in the early songs of the Salvation Army. So we need to have space for an open, honest and constructive discussion about the content of our worship songs, even if some of that appears to be negative. And, in this interconnected world, there is merit in conducting such discussion online.

But I now think the main locus of such discussions needs primarily to be in our churches, with our worship leaders and church leaders. This may not immediately affect the output of the worship music machine that is the CCM industry, but it will help to develop understanding, inform the process of congregational song selection and equip the next generation of worship leaders. I am not aware of any church that creates a forum for discussion of what is sung, what it means, and how we understand the greater questions of what worship is and then how we effectively engage people in it, in song and otherwise. That would be a discussion worth having, because at heart it is about that most central of issues; our very relationship with God.

Perhaps you have had such a conversation in your church. What was the outcome?

CCM Praise Songs We Have Trouble With - A meme [re-edited]

I've been watching this one doing the rounds.

Please try to name ONE (I know, there are so many to choose from) CCM praise song that you find unbearable and at least 2-3 reasons why, pointing to specific lyrics if you must.

I orginally posted some thoughts about "When the music fades" by Matt Redman, a song I still find problematic. However, the conversation has moved on somewhat and in response I felt strongly that I should edit this post so that it doesn't contradict my developing view on the subject.

I ended on a couple of positive notes. I still find "Revelations Song" (Kari Jobe) scriptural, powerful and singable. For a rather full on production try here.

And I'm also enjoying Future of Forestry who, to my mind, seem to be able to balance truth, confession and a hint of the prophetic with musical excellence.

I tagged Rach, who wrote a great response!

Update: Valuable reflection (rather than reaction) by Tim Chesterton and some well chosen words from Sam

A New Year - hope in 7/4 time

I'm a bit late with this, but if you missed it, here's a new year message from Shane Beales and Sam Jones.

H.264

H.264

• 360p FLV
• 360p MP4
• 240p FLV
• Flash

 The song has a total of 365 beats, one for each day of the year, and, in the funkiest of twists, is written in 7/4 time (I'm sure you can see a pattern here!).

Jónsi at Hammersmith

On Friday Dan and I were at Hammersmith to see Jónsi. What sort of people, we wondered, make up a typical Jónsi crowd? All sorts, apparetly, from secondary school age girls with their mums through to a good number from the well preserved grandparent generation.

Support band Timber Timbre opened with a confident set of songs in their unique alternative folk/blues style. Over a few years Dan and I have enjoyed discovering lesser known bands through the support slot at big gigs. Timber Timbre could be well  worth another listen, particularly as they effectively performed to a veritable morris dance of audience members coming and going, standing up and sitting down, swapping places, passing each other in the aisles and talking most of the time. Respect please, people!

Jónsi kicked off with Stars in Still Water, just him and a guitar, haunting and vulnerable. There was a tangible sense of awe in the venue. Things began to build with Hengilás, the remarkable musicianship of his band immediately becoming obvious. (Also, the drummer playing the Xzylophone with cello bows - a genius idea and a remarkable sound).

Visually the whole performance was stunning, the full width video backdrop complemented by four large screens around the stage. The drawn animation style of trees and animals is ever present but never overwhelming, creating a sense of connection with nature that contributes to the etherial quality of the performance. From the comments of people afterwards (and many on YouTube live clips) there really is something spiritual about being at a Jónsi gig. I found the whole thing breathtaking, not unlike the best moments of worship.

The perfectly balanced set of songs included all of the songs off his latest album, Go, plus a few new ones. By the end there was just one song left to play, Grow Till Tall, delivered against an astounding visual backdrop. Search YouTube for a quick look. The whole evening had been an amazing, uplifting and overwhelming experience.

The live DVD and CD is out today, so if you wish you'd been there there is a smallscreen substitute... but really, you had to be there.

Jónsi

Heart to Drum 2010

On Saturday 170 drummers, percussionists and dancers gathered for Heart to Drum 2010, a day of inspiring input and workshops from some top musicians, organised by Colchester Psalm Drummers and held at Kingsland Church.

The programme for the day included workshops on samba, drum tuning, djembe playing, dance and worship leading interspersed with plenary showcase presentations through the day in the main hall.  After a time of worship with Henry George (Ichthus), Raul D’Oliveira (Elton John, Wham!, Mike Oldfield, Graham Kendrick) set the tone for the day bringing wise words from scripture.

After playing bass for Henry in the morning I spent the rest of the day photographing the event and generally helping out with stage change overs. I also managed to get round to bits of the workshops and seminars which were all packed with people getting totaly involved! Highlights for me were the afternoon showcase by Ed Freitas in his incarnation as Cyba-X combining drums, trigger pads and samples to produce live drum 'n' bass, the powerful dance of Andy Au and Kirsty Hallett from Movement in Worship, and the guys from Worship Central who led the evening celebration.

The whole day worked perfectly thanks to the calm efficiency of the Kingsland Church PA and Café team, the quality of the contributors and the organisational skills of Michelle and Dan who are part of the national Psalm Drummers leadership team and leaders of Colchester Psalm Drummers.

There's a photo set on Flickr here

Heart to Drum 2010

On the 9th October drummers, dancers and musicians from Psalm Drummers, Movement in Worship and Worship Central will be taking part in Heart to Drum 2010; Luke Hellebronth (Worship Central) will be leading the evening worship session along with a fantastic line up of names from the Christian and main stream music scene. The evening worship will be the culmination of a full day of drumming, dancing, masterclasses, pro demos and inspirational teaching. 
 
The event includes masterclasses in kit drumming, hand percussion & prophetic dance as well as inspirational teaching and showcases from some of the UK's top drummers. Taking part are:
Stew Smith (Delirious?)
Ed Freitas (Cyba-X, International Session Artist, Drummerbuzz, WFD-UK World Record Holder)
Raul D’Oliveira (Elton John, Wham!, Mike Oldfield, Graham Kendrick)
Henry George (Ichthus, Godfrey Birtill, Graham Kendrick)
Tim Cooke (Worship Central, Ben Cantalon)
Andy Au (Movement in Worship)

Michelle Tennens, co-leader of Psalm Drummers in Colchester writes;

"Come, play, pray and let’s worship our God together! You are invited to bring your djembe or hand percussion, floor tom or snare and practice pads to be part of this exciting interactive day of workshops, pro demos and worship."

Heart to Drum 2010 is on Saturday 9th October from 11am to 10pm at Kingsland Church, Colchester. Tickets are just £20 per person (concessions available) and can be purchased online at Kingswayshop.com.
Tickets are also available for the evening worship (8pm – 10pm) at £5 each. To reserve tickets please email dan.abbott@psalmdrummers.org

AoF at Colchester Arts Centre

 In a change to our tradition of having a barbecue and bouncy castle in the garden for Dan's birthday, this year we hosted a party and gig at Colchester Arts Centre.

Headlining were Academy of Funk, in their second gig of the revised line-up of which Dan is their new drummer. As well as a gig and birthday party the evening was also an opportunity to raise money for the History Maker Foundation, a new charity set up by the Pancaldi family in memory of their son Joe who died in a hill walking accident in Scotland two years ago. The aim of the charity is to offer bursaries to disadvantaged young people so that they can benefit from a week away doing the kind of climbing and hill walking activities that Joe was passionate about sharing with young people.

The evening kicked off with a set of songs from Charity Pancaldi accompanied by Tony which concluded with an interview with Charity about the History Maker Foundation and an invitation for people to give.

After a short break for conversation and a top up from the bar, the mood changed with the intro music for AoF and dimmed lighting. Dan emerged from the back of the stage, bowed briefly and took to the drums carving out the rhythm kicking off the song "Richard Chandler" (much developed from the downloadable album version!), followed by each member of the band in turn picking up the song. There followed a fast paced set that held everyone's attention, uplifted and slightly stunned, to the end. AoF bounce and drive with musical energy and skill that carries the audience along with them. Just before the last song the band gave Dan an unexpected present of a Cajon. Finally came "Lost", ending in an extended drum outro. The audience appealed for an encore. There were no more tunes to play!

The evening concluded with birthday cake (thanks Sue!) and much conversation. It had all been so much more fun than a barbecue and a bouncy castle. Which was a good thing, as it had been raining most of the evening.

There's a photo set of AoF in action here

Kevin Pearce

On Friday evening AoF took to the stage at The Barhouse, Chelmsford, for their first gig with the new line-up. They've got another gig on Tuesday so I'll post more about them after that.

Support for the evening came from Kevin Pearce who, I discover, comes from Colchester. It's always a nice surprise when the support band makes you sit up and take notice and from the first song we knew we were listening to something special. Kevin is broadly in the contemporary folk/rock category with an amazing voice and a depth of songwriting that deserves a wider hearing. Check out his MySpace page and see if you can't get to along to one of his gigs.